ZIP code
28768
in Pisgah Forest, North CarolinaPopulation 6,759
55.19/ 100
Ranked #9,233 of 32,066 US ZIPs (top 29%)
Ranked #211 of 793 North Carolina ZIPs (top 27%)
Ranks are modeled estimates — ZIPs a few hundred places apart are effectively tied.
What defines this ZIP
Metrics where this ZIP sits in the tails of the national distribution — the ones that most set it apart. Select any tile for its definition and methodology.
Arsenic in groundwater
0.94%
in the bottom 1.2% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS1stDefinition & source ›
The modeled probability that untreated groundwater in this area — the source private wells draw on — exceeds the federal arsenic limit of 10 micrograms per liter.
A modeled likelihood for untreated groundwater, the source drawn on by private wells, which are federally unregulated. It is not a measurement of treated water delivered by a public system, and it is not a test of any individual well.
Full methodology ›Park land
48.8%
in the top 2.6% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST99thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area that is public parkland.
Full methodology ›Tree cover
84.3%
in the top 3.3% nationally
Higher is healthier
ST96thUS97thDefinition & source ›
The share of this ZIP’s land area covered by forest.
Full methodology ›Radon
3.3 pCi/L
in the top 6.8% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST99thUS93rdDefinition & source ›
The modeled typical indoor radon level for this area, in picocuries per liter — the EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or above.
Modeled from indoor-radon measurements. In Alaska and Hawaii, where those measurements are not published, a US Geological Survey geologic radon-potential category stands in — a coarser input, disclosed rather than hidden.
Full methodology ›Loneliness
28.8%
in the bottom 12.4% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST9thUS12thDefinition & source ›
The estimated share of adults who report feeling lonely.
Full methodology ›Loud transportation noise
1.3%
in the top 14.1% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST93rdUS86thDefinition & source ›
The modeled share of residents exposed to average road, rail, and aviation noise at or above 65 decibels — around the volume of normal conversation.
Full methodology ›Air-toxics cancer risk
20 per million
in the bottom 25% nationally
Lower is healthier
ST1stUS25thDefinition & source ›
The EPA’s modeled estimate of added lifetime cancer risk from breathing outdoor air toxics, in cases per million people exposed over a lifetime.
Full methodology ›The read
By its overall health score, Pisgah Forest, North Carolina (ZIP 28768) lands in the top 29% healthiest ZIPs nationally (9,233rd) and the top 27% of North Carolina (211th).
The measures split the difference for this area: modeled arsenic registers in the bottom 1.2% nationally, and park land sits in the top 2.6% nationally. Modeled tree cover rests in the top 3.3% nationally. Modeled extreme heat is at the national minimum, shared with about 19% of ZIPs. Distance to a community health center stands at the national minimum, shared with about 23% of ZIPs. Grocery settles in the top 12.1% nationally, and modeled loneliness lies in the bottom 12.4% nationally. Against that, modeled radon resides in the top 6.8% nationally, loud transportation noise lands in the top 14.1% nationally, and expected annual loss registers in the top 15.0% nationally.
Weighed against the ZIPs nearby, park land runs far higher than the surrounding ZIPs on this measure. To translate a couple of terms, arsenic is a natural groundwater contaminant, here a modeled estimate of the chance private-well levels exceed a benchmark. Radon is a radioactive soil gas the EPA identifies as the top cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Expected annual loss is FEMA's modeled estimate, in dollars, of average yearly harm to people from natural hazards. Overall, the nearest healthier neighbor is ZIP 28712, just across the boundary.
What’s driving this score
Nine domains make up the ZipVitals Score — here is how this ZIP does on each, and how much each one counts.
Compared with the ZIP codes measured across all nine scoring domains — not with all US ZIP codes.
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 76%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 87%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 87%
11%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 71%
5%
About typical
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 41%
14%
Mental Health
healthier than 56%
8%
Disability
healthier than 49%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 60%
5%
Holding it back
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 37%
21%
Lifting this score
Social Need / SDOH
healthier than 76%
16%
Preventive Care
healthier than 85%
13%
Risk Behavior
healthier than 83%
11%
Mental Health
healthier than 79%
8%
Disability
healthier than 66%
7%
Climate / Disaster Risk
healthier than 88%
5%
Healthcare Access
healthier than 67%
5%
About typical
Chronic Disease Burden
healthier than 51%
21%
Holding it back
Environmental Hazard
healthier than 24%
14%
“Share” is how much of this ZIP’s score the domain accounts for. Percentages are rounded; higher is healthier in every domain. How the score works, and who it compares you with ›
Findings that name this ZIP
2 of our published findings list this ZIP code. Each finding compares one published measure against a stated benchmark, and names only the ZIP codes whose estimates are reliable enough to rank. See all surprising findings.
Above what income predicts
The ZIP codes that outlive their incomes
Estimated life expectancy is 81.5 ± 2.3 years. A median household income of $71,383 predicts 78.7 years — 2.8 years above.
Ranked #518 of the 5,842 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above what income predicts, highest first.
Above its nearby ZIPs
The ZIP codes that outlive their neighbors
Estimated life expectancy is 81.5 ± 2.3 years. The 46 nearest ZIP codes with estimates average 78.4 years — 3.1 years above them.
Ranked #758 of the 3,687 ZIP codes this finding names, ordered by years above the nearby-ZIP average, highest first.
Nearby & similar ZIPs
Editorially selected — see how this ZIP compares to nearby and similar places.
Nearby
28708
North Carolinashares a border
Score 45.67
Closest healthier
28712
North Carolinashares a border
Score 57.14
Similar health profile
28720
North Carolina97% similar profile
Score 56.92
How these were chosen: only ZIPs with a published Score appear — a nearby ZIP with too little data to score won’t. Nearby means closest by distance between ZIP boundaries, which can cross state lines. A similar health profile is a close match across the nine Score domains, not similar demographics. Distances are measured between ZIP boundaries — ZIPs that touch share a border. How distance is measured
Evidence
Every measure this page draws on, by source. Collapsed by default — the full data stays in the page for search engines either way.
Health OutcomesCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Arthritis among adults | 33.4% | 29.5–37.3 |
| High blood pressure among adults | 41.5% | 36.9–46.1 |
| Cancer (non-skin) or melanoma among adults | 11.3% | 10.2–12.5 |
| Current asthma among adults | 10.4% | 9.1–11.8 |
| Coronary heart disease among adults | 8.5% | 7.4–9.6 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults | 8.5% | 7.1–9.9 |
| Depression among adults | 24.6% | 20.9–28.5 |
| Diagnosed diabetes among adults | 12.7% | 10.8–14.8 |
| High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened | 40.2% | 35.5–44.9 |
| Obesity among adults | 34.8% | 26.9–43.1 |
| Stroke among adults | 4.1% | 3.7–4.6 |
| All teeth lost among adults aged >=65 years | 10.0% | 7.9–12.3 |
PreventionCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Current lack of health insurance among adults aged 18-64 years | 8.5% | 6.9–10.2 |
| Taking medicine to control high blood pressure among adults with high blood pressure | 80.4% | 77.3–83.1 |
| Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults | 82.4% | 79.0–85.4 |
| Cholesterol screening among adults | 89.9% | 88.3–91.3 |
| Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years | 69.2% | 64.1–74.0 |
| Visited dentist or dental clinic in the past year among adults | 66.8% | 63.1–70.4 |
| Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years | 79.1% | 71.4–85.4 |
Health Risk BehaviorsCDC PLACES 2022 / 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Binge drinking among adults | 13.7% | 11.1–16.6 |
| Current cigarette smoking among adults | 13.1% | 10.7–15.7 |
| No leisure-time physical activity among adults | 22.6% | 18.3–27.1 |
| Short sleep duration among adults | 31.4% | 24.8–38.3 |
Health StatusCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults | 18.5% | 15.6–21.4 |
| Frequent mental distress among adults | 15.1% | 13.2–17.2 |
| Frequent physical distress among adults | 13.6% | 11.7–15.5 |
DisabilityCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive disability among adults | 13.5% | 11.7–15.4 |
| Any disability among adults | 33.0% | 28.3–37.6 |
| Hearing disability among adults | 9.7% | 8.5–11.0 |
| Independent living disability among adults | 8.0% | 6.8–9.1 |
| Mobility disability among adults | 15.7% | 13.1–18.2 |
| Self-care disability among adults | 3.9% | 3.4–4.5 |
| Vision disability among adults | 5.0% | 4.4–5.7 |
Health-Related Social NeedsCDC PLACES 2023 · BRFSS
| Measure | Crude prevalence | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of social and emotional support among adults | 19.0% | 15.8–22.5 |
| Food insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 10.9% | 8.8–13.3 |
| Received food stamps in the past 12 months among adults | 9.0% | 7.2–11.0 |
| Housing insecurity in the past 12 months among adults | 8.5% | 7.1–10.2 |
| Lack of reliable transportation in the past 12 months among adults | 6.3% | 5.4–7.4 |
| Loneliness among adults | 28.8% | 23.9–33.9 |
| Utility services shut-off threat in the past 12 months among adults | 5.9% | 5.0–7.0 |
Community & economyCensus ACS 5-Year · 2024 release · observed
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 14.4% | 10.6% (3.1–25.8%) n=32,364 | 13.0% (4.4–25.0%) n=793 |
| Uninsured 18–64 | 23.4% | 9.0% (1.5–24.3%) n=32,286 | 14.5% (5.7–24.9%) n=794 |
| No HS diploma (25+) | 4.6% | 7.9% (1.8–20.7%) n=32,505 | 10.4% (3.1–19.8%) n=798 |
| Bachelor's or higher (25+) | 40.5% | 23.3% (9.2–53.6%) n=32,505 | 22.8% (10.7–53.4%) n=798 |
| Unemployment rate (16+) | 4.1% | 3.9% (0.0–9.8%) n=32,274 | 4.2% (0.0–9.1%) n=796 |
| Households without a vehicle | 1.7% | 3.9% (0.0–12.5%) n=32,322 | 3.9% (0.0–10.2%) n=793 |
| Broadband subscription | 89.5% | 89.3% (75.1–97.1%) n=32,322 | 87.6% (76.2–96.3%) n=793 |
| Housing cost burden (≥30% income) | 24.0% | 23.7% (10.6–40.0%) n=32,322 | 24.7% (14.1–36.5%) n=793 |
| Homeownership rate | 85.5% | 78.7% (51.7–94.0%) n=32,322 | 75.0% (52.7–89.7%) n=793 |
| Crowded housing (>1 per room) | 3.6% | 1.3% (0.0–6.3%) n=32,322 | 1.4% (0.0–4.5%) n=793 |
| Foreign-born population | 8.8% | 2.6% (0.0–18.6%) n=32,553 | 4.2% (0.0–12.9%) n=799 |
| Single-parent households | 66.3% | 53.6% (37.3–74.1%) n=32,087 | 51.8% (39.2–70.1%) n=790 |
| Population 65+ | 34.4% | 19.4% (10.8–33.6%) n=32,553 | 19.7% (11.1–31.9%) n=799 |
| Median age | 52.5 yr | 42.2 yr (33.0–56.3) n=32,292 | 42.5 yr (33.3–55.7) n=797 |
| Median household income | $71,383 | $72,070 ($46,039–$118,707) n=30,318 | $65,030 ($44,419–$97,111) n=749 |
| Median home value | $341,400 | $222,200 ($100,300–$579,820) n=30,049 | $223,850 ($113,970–$452,990) n=758 |
| Median gross rent | $852 | $1,021 ($677–$1,912) n=25,670 | $957 ($715–$1,575) n=687 |
Life expectancyNCHS / RWJF USALEEP · model-based
| Measure | Value | US median (p10–p90) | NC median (p10–p90) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 81.5 yr ± 1.19 | 78.9 yr (74.7–82.8) n=31,308 | 77.3 yr (74.6–80.8) n=747 |
About the ± — it’s this estimate’s give-or-take (statisticians call it the standard error). The true life expectancy for this ZIP most likely falls within 1.19 years of 81.5, and it’s very unlikely to be off by more than twice that.
More ZIPs to explore ▾More ZIPs to explore ▴
How these lists were built: they draw only from ZIPs that have a published Score, so ZIPs with too little data to score are not listed. Distance-based lists use distance between ZIP boundaries with no state filter, so an out-of-state ZIP can appear. Statistically similar means a close match across the nine Score domains, not a demographic match: the measure is the cosine similarity between two ZIPs’ domain scores, taken over the domains both ZIPs have data for and only where that overlap covers at least six of the nine — and where no ZIP clears that minimum-overlap floor, that list is left out rather than filled with a weak match. How distance is measured